Low-tier D1 runner with the following PRs: 4:15 mile, 14:19 5k, 29:40 10K. I’m a 5th year senior with a chance to win a conference title for indoor and outdoor. However, I personally think it would be cooler, more fulfilling to try to qualify to the Olympic Trials in the marathon. My coach said he would not let me compete on the team if I run a marathon. Thoughts/advice on what I should do?
You can do that after the season
Right, I would race the rest of XC season and then race CIM on a bib transfer. The only downside is my coach wouldn’t let me compete during the track season.
SuperSenior wrote:
Right, I would race the rest of XC season and then race CIM on a bib transfer. The only downside is my coach wouldn’t let me compete during the track season.
Don't tell him you are training for a marathon.
Go for the trials. You're practically guaranteed a spot on the Olympic team.
What would be cooler, all conference or starting/racing side by side with Rupp and other top talent?
Either way good luck. We'll save you a spot here.
There will be another OTQ opportunity in 4 years. Are you going to bail on XC to train for CIM? I don't see how you can do both and run sub 2:18. You are setting yourself up to be disappointed.
But, at the end of the day, it is your life, you only get one, so if you are okay with taking a risk, blowing up in the marathon, and missing your senior track season, go for it.
I’m thinking I could just not finish the race if I fall off pace. That way he won’t know I actually raced and can still do track if I don’t run sub 2:18.
Four years is not an eternity.
It’s not like I’m going to qualify to nationals. Heck, I may not qualify to regionals even. I’m a high mileage guy and think I’m well suited for the marathon. I also don’t like just assuming I’ll have opportunities 4-8 years from now. I’m in shape to qualify now. I might not even be active in the sport 4-8 years from now.
Just run with the XC team (you're already doing that) maybe do a little marathon specific work if you can (increase your long run) and run CIM without telling anyone (under a fake name).
Do not skip your senior season, you can never get that back. Train properly for 2:18 after you’ve finished school.
SuperSenior wrote:
Low-tier D1 runner with the following PRs: 4:15 mile, 14:19 5k, 29:40 10K. I’m a 5th year senior with a chance to win a conference title for indoor and outdoor. However, I personally think it would be cooler, more fulfilling to try to qualify to the Olympic Trials in the marathon. My coach said he would not let me compete on the team if I run a marathon. Thoughts/advice on what I should do?
If you are a scholarship athlete, he wants you to be invested in what he values and what you signed up for. Trying to hit an OTQ has no positive gain for your coach. If you have a chance to score points, qualify for regionals, etc that's going to be the focus. You can't get it both ways....if you offer to drop your scholarship when you won't be contributing towards the goals of the team, your coaches tone could change towards the marathon.
SuperSenior wrote:
I’m thinking I could just not finish the race if I fall off pace. That way he won’t know I actually raced and can still do track if I don’t run sub 2:18.
What if it's close at the end and your final push to go under 2:18 comes in a couple seconds short?
Poor choice to forgo senior season imo. You have nice PR's, but the marathon is a different beast, and you running it based on XC fitness is not respecting the distance.
Risk is not worth the reward. You're frankly far more likely to crash and burn to a 2:30 or drop because you're miserable and set yourself back.
Finish out your senior year on a high note. Enjoy your teammates. Dedicate the next few years to hitting a standard and actually plan out a training schedule/race. If you want it, you'll be able to do it in 4 years
Why would you possibly think that having run a 29:40 would even remotely correlate to running 2:18? There are guys who have run well under 29 minutes in college that go on to train for the marathon as their sole focus post collegiately and still struggle to qualify. Just enjoy your last year on the team, you will miss out on a lot with your teammates and ultimately regret your decision.
FOREGO.
ITS SPELLED FOREGO. DID YOU FOREGO SPELLING LESSONS IN THE THIRD GRADE?
I OFFER NO ADVICE ON YOUR SUPERFLUOUS AND INCONSEQUENTIAL PREDICAMENT.
Hey man, reach out to Ben at Hoka NAZ Elite. He is on Twitter or X. He will have a similar story to yours but his has an ending. I am sure other people here can share their own experience as well.
I have no idea what you should do. All I can tell you is one day you are 21 and all that matters is running. Then in the blink of an eye you over 40 and you will wish you knew then what you know now.
Definitely go for the Trials. You’ve already run four years of college. You have no idea where you’ll be in another 4 years. Nothing is guaranteed. The coach will come around because for the school and community would be a great site he socially with the low number of qualifiers in Feb
How would you possibly qualify for regionals? Your are not close. My team has 9 guys faster and none of us will qualify.
OldManWithRegrets wrote:
Do not skip your senior season, you can never get that back. Train properly for 2:18 after you’ve finished school.
This.
I promise you will always look back and regret not finishing out your senior season and also skipping your shot at Conference titles. It also sours your relationship with your coach, and for what?
You grow into the Marathon, you dont rush to it. Don't follow the hobby jogger mentality of jumping up, and finish the task at hand